‘Fierce’ rivalry expected in Phitsanulok by-election

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As Pheu Thai faces a concern, the People’s Party defends the seats it defeated last year by its incumbent.

PUBLISHED: 14 Sep 2024 at 18: 39

People’s Party candidate Nathachanon Chanaburanasak takes a selfie photo with a supporter on Saturday while campaigning ahead of Sunday’s by-election in Constituency 1 of Phitsanulok province. He is hoping to keep the seat, won by the Move Forward Party last year, in “orange” hands. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)
In preparation for Sunday’s by-election in Constituency 1 of Phitsanulok state, People’s Party member Nathachanon Chanaburanasak poses for a picture with a follower. He is hoping to keep the desk, won by the Move Forward Party next month, in “orange” hands. ( Photo: Chinnawat Singha )

Padipat Santipada, who was banned from politics for ten times following the dissolution of the now-defunct Move Forward Party, will face fierce opposition in Sunday’s by-election in Phitsanulok.

In August, the Constitutional Court disbanded Move Forward and forbade 11 professional members for ten years on the grounds that the party’s plans to update the lese-majeste law threatened the constitutional monarchy.

Even though Mr. Padipat had planned to become “expelled” from the group in order to take up a deputy author’s position in the House, he had been a part of the Move Forward Party committee and was thus subject to the restrictions.

In the May 2023 vote contested by 15 individuals, Mr Padipat received 40, 842 seats, followed by Adunwit Wiwatthanat of Palang Pracharath with 19, 096 and Natthasat Champhunot of Pheu Thai with 18, 180.

Today’s voting is purely a two-candidate battle between Nathachanon Chanaburanasak of the People’s Party, the leader to Move Forward, and Chadet Chanthara of the Pheu Thai Party.

Chadet Chanthara of the Pheu Thai Party, and his party members campaign for votes in Phitsanulok province on Saturday. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)

On Saturday, Chadet Chanthara of the Pheu Thai Party joins campaigners in Phitsanulok. ( Photo: Chinnawat Singha )

The competition is anticipated to be fierce as both the ruling group and the main opposition parties vie for the seat.

Election Commission (EC ) chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong reported that as of Saturday, no complaints had been received.

That was a good indication that the election had run easily, he said.

Given the number of available citizens at each stop, which ranges between 100 and 200, the vote count is expected to take a maximum of one and a half hours, with voting taking place from 8am to 5pm, according to he.

According to Mr. Ittiporn, the illegal results are anticipated between 8 and 9 p.m.

Constituency 1 has 138, 705 eligible citizens and recorded an amazing 75.2 % attendance next year, so today’s voter participation is also expected to be substantial, he added.

Padipat Santipada, who won he 2023 election in Phitsanulok before facing a political ban, joins a campaign team of the Poeple's Party on Saturday. (Photo: Chinnawat Singha)

Padipat Santipada, who won the 2023 vote in Phitsanulok Constituency 1 by roughly 21, 000 vote before facing a 10-year social restrictions, joins a People’s Party battle group on Saturday. ( Photo: Chinnawat Singha )